Bambinos Cafe plans expansion in Phelps Grove

Bambinos Cafe, a fixture in the Phelps Grove neighborhood, has expansion plans in the works.

Andy Faucett, owner of Bambinos Cafe, said plans for the 1141 E. Delmar St. restaurant include a second story to the west wing of the building, an expanded kitchen and additional parking.

"We want to keep the business viable by being able to accommodate more dine-in customers but also be able to do more catering, takeout and delivery," Faucett said.

First, a rezoning proposal must be approved by the city of Springfield, he said.

The rezoning proposal on file with the city indicates Faucett & Bates Properties LLC and MSU Housing LLC are seeking to rezone less than an acre to a planned development from a residential single-family district. In addition to the renovation, the rezoning would allow for a cooperative parking agreement to help alleviate congestion in the public right of way, according to Planning and Zoning Commission agenda notes.

Faucett said the house next door to Bambinos, at 1137 E. Delmar St., is included in the rezoning bid that's slated to come up on the P&Z docket soon. The house would remain in place.

"We are hoping to add parking spaces by rezoning the adjacent house and paving the backyard," he said. "We want to make sure we can successfully navigate the rezoning process before we finalize the design plan."

Faucett said the Bambinos expansion plans are estimated to cost $600,000-$800,000. The goal is to start the project in spring 2024 and wrap it up in six to eight months, he added.

The Springfield News-Leader was first to report on the expansion plans.

Bambinos also operates a restaurant at 2810 E. Battlefield Road.